SOUTH SUBURBAN CITIZEN 1-11-2023

Holy Culture Radio was founded by Vic Padilla in the late 1990s early 2000’s. Padilla was a lover of Christian Hip Hop. The station got its name from the Cross Movement’s “Holy Culture” album. Padilla’s radio show is now Holy Culture Radio. In April of 2022, it expanded to the Sirius XM platform and includes podcasts, videos, along with Christian Hip Hop music.

James Rousseau is the Founder of The Corelink Solution and CEO of Holy Culture / Holy Culture Radio. PHOTO PROVIDED BY JAMES ROUSSEAU.

NAPERVILLE, Ill. – Nicor Gas, a top 25 corporate partner of United Way of Metro Chicago, and its employees have contributed more than $1.2 million to United Way chapters across its service territory. This funding is allocated to local affiliates, nonprofit partners and organizations in underserved communities to support food and energy insecurity, healthcare, education and housing initiatives for customers throughout the Nicor Gas footprint.

The 2022 United Way contributions include employee donations of more than $225,000 and more than $1 million directly from Nicor Gas and the Nicor Gas Foundation. These grants will be spread across the 23 United Way chapters located in Nicor Gas’ Northern Illinois service area, with the largest being United Way of Metro Chicago.

“United Way brings together businesses, government, philanthropic, community and individual leaders, including our incredible donors. With the support of long-standing partners like Nicor Gas, we’re able to help our neighbors meet their basic needs and support our community partners’ goals for equitable transformation in their neighborhoods,” said Sean Garrett, president and CEO of United Way of Metro Chicago.

“Our partnership with United Way has continued for more than six decades, and from the beginning we shared a mutual interest of advancing the well-being and common good in the more than 650 communities we are proud to serve,” said Wendell Dallas, president and CEO of Nicor Gas, who also serves as a board member and 2022-2023 campaign chair for United Way of Metro Chicago.

With our corporate partnership dating back to 1954, Nicor Gas is committed to United Way’s initiatives. Nicor Gas is also committed to investing in other organizations that deliver critical resources to continue charitable operations in service of those in need. To learn more about Nicor Gas’ charitable giving and employee volunteerism, visit nicorgas. com/community.

SHEDD AQUARIUM WINTER 2023 FREE DAYS AND ANNUAL CLOSURE DAYS

Shedd Aquarium, 1200 S. DuSable Lake Shore Drive, is offering several days this winter for Illinois residents to enjoy free admission. Illinois resident guests can escape the cold outside and look nature in the eye for free on these select dates.

With a valid ID, Illinois residents receive free general admission with advance ticket reservation. Free general admission also includes the option to view an animal spotlight in Abbott Oceanarium, featuring animals like Pacific white-sided dolphins, beluga whales, penguins and California sea lions.

In addition, Shedd will be closed to the public on Tuesday, Jan. 17, and Wednesday, Jan. 18, for routine maintenance, cleaning and projects that cannot take place outside of normal hours of operation or with guests in the building. Ahead of the closure days, from Jan. 12-16, Illinois residents can enjoy free admission with all-inclusive access to the aquarium.

Advance reservations required. Tickets must be secured ahead of a visit using Shedd’s website, www. sheddaquarium.org.

Please note: A $3 transaction fee applies to all Illinois Resident Free Day tickets reserved online. This helps ensure access to as many neighbors as possible by validating orders.

All adults must provide proof of residency in person when redeeming tickets at a discounted rate. For the latest information about the aquarium hours and discounts, please visit the “Plan a Visit” page.

Holy Culture Radio brings progressive music to the airwaves

Continued from page 1

BY TIA CAROL JONES

James Rousseau was a deejay in Philadelphia, but grew up in the church. He decided to get into Christian rap because he loved Christ and the church, but was providing a soundtrack with lyrics that were counter to that. He met Padilla who asked him to bring his program model to Holy Culture Radio. Rousseau became a partner at Holy Culture Radio in 2008. When Padilla left, Rousseau took over the platform.

Holy Culture Radio has 14 shows, four of them are daily shows, five air on Saturday and another five air on Sunday.

Rousseau believes that it is possible for Christian Hip Hop to go mainstream.

“Over the past few years, the Gospel Music Industry has reduced its footprint in the Music Industry overall from 6% to 2%.

However, it is still noteworthy that over 50 million per month listen to some form of gospel music. The hypothesis of the cause of that shrinkage from leaders within the Gospel Music Industry is that in large part, the industry has often catered to an aging population,” he said, adding that Christian Hip-Hop is an incredible bridge that reaches masses with a diverse collection of artists with a range of styles and songs that will meet the needs of many.

Rousseau points out that some of the early Christian Hip Hop and Rap was Bible scriptures, turned into lyrics and storytelling, over a beat. A big part of Rousseau’s prayer when Holy Culture launched on Sirius XM in April of 2022, was that the Lord would do something magnificent with it, beyond his expectation. It has reached 53 million listeners each week since then. Rousseau

believes it is because of convergence and demand.

“The people who came to listen to us, came from all kinds of channels. The quick assumption from anyone is, ‘Oh sure, they came from the Kirk Franklin Channel.’ Guess what? The large portion of them weren’t, the large portion came from the Joel Osteen Channel, the Faith Channel, the Message Channel … people who were looking for a more positive message,” Rousseau said.

Rousseau believes Holy Culture Radio can be a good fit for families who want music that has a good beat, with a good message; people who are searching for answers, but don’t want to be preached to. The artists featured on the platform can answer those questions with the music, which can engage those people by walking alongside them. Rousseau believes the timing is good for the platform to reach people because with so much polarization from the past, people are looking for more things they have in common with other people. He sees Afro Gospel being the next big thing. Christopher Le Mark, Founder of Coffee, Hip Hop and Mental Health was a guest on Church on the Block, a show that airs on Holy Culture Radio at 10 a.m. EST on Sunday.

Rousseau hopes that people get progressive music and empowering conversations. He hopes people feel a sense of community. “It’s a place where people come and feel like they can hang out, where they feel invited and feel they can be part of the conversation. It’s really about community, without judgement. Just come be a part of it,” he said.

For more information about Holy Culture Radio, visit holyculture.net.

CALUMET CITY POLICE IS HIRING FULL-TIME 911 COMMUNICATION OFFICERS MAYOR THADDEUS JONES STRONGLY ENCOURAGES APPLICANTS THAT MEET THE MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS TO APPLY

(Calumet City, IL) Mayor Thaddeus Jones and the City of Calumet City are excited to announce the opening of available positions. Calumet City Police Department is looking for excellent communication officers that will work amongst the local police department as 9-1-1 communication operators. The Calumet City police department serves a population of 36,500 residents with a strong presence of ethnic and cultural diversity. The Calumet City Police department 911 Center operates 24 hours a day. It is responsible for receiving and processing emergency and non-emergency calls from the public requesting police, fire, medical, and other emergency services.

Communication officers should anticipate a fast pace, robust, and flexible career field. This position will offer paid vacation time, quarterly uniform allowance, health, dental, vision, life insurance coverage, and pension.

Applicants applying must meet various minimum requirements for consideration. All applicants must be 21 years of age at the time of hire, possess a high school diploma

or equivalent, successfully complete the Criti-Call online dispatching exam, and must pass a thorough background investigation, including polygraph, psychological exam, and medical and drug screenings.

Mayor Thaddeus Jones hopes that many residents will apply as this could be a great starter position for an introduction into the law enforcement field

“We’re excited that some great positions have become available here in Calumet City. The Communications Officer Responder is a great introduction space for those who want to explore a law enforcement career. We encourage all applicants looking to jumpstart a great career path to apply,” says Mayor Thaddeus Jones.

Applicants can apply online at www.calumetcity.org, In Person at the Calumet City Police Department, or by email at policedept@calumetcity.org. All email resume submissions must be in PDF format. Photos of the document will not be allowed. Please indicate your last name and the position you are applying for in the subject line. All submissions must be received by the deadline of January 15th for consideration.

James Rousseau, CEO of Holy Culture Radio, began his career as a deejay in Philadelphia and went on to become the CEO of Holy Culture and Founder of The Corelink Solution. PHOTO PROVIDED BY JAMES ROUSSEAU.

NICOR GAS PROVIDED MORE THAN $1.2 MILLION IN UNITED WAY GRANTS IN 2022

Mayor Thaddeus Jones. Photo provided by STH Media LLC

MAYOR SHEILA CHALMERS- CURRIN & VILLAGE OF MATTESON WELCOMES NEW “HARBOR

FREIGHT” DISCOUNT HARDWARE STORE

(Matteson, IL) Mayor Sheila Chalmers- Currin and the Village of Matteson are thrilled to welcome another new area business to Matteson. Harbor Freight Quality Tools is among the most highly anticipated new companies within The Southland community. The new quality hard-ware store is set to attract thousands of CDL drivers, plumbers, electricians, and many other various contractors. Harbor Freight will offer low prices on power tools, generators, jacks, and more. With having over 1300+ locations nationwide, Harbor Freight is excited to expand out into the Chicagoland south suburbs. The new quality hardware

store comes as a needed asset to the many developers and local small businesses that travel on Lincoln Highway. Residents like Brad Walsh are excited to have a new hardware store to help expand his business.

“As a contractor that does diverse handy work from painting, snow removal, lawn care, and construction, I’m grateful to have a local hardware store that is being added to the community. Quality equipment at affordable prices is one of the most needed items for small business owners like myself. I can’t wait to see what Harbor Freight has in store,” says Brad Walsh.

CHATHAM-SOUTHEAST

Chatham, Avalon Park, Park Manor,GreaterGrand Crossing, Burnside,Chesterfield, West Chersterfield, South Shore,and Calumet Heitghts.

SOUTH END

Washington Heights,Roseland,Rosemoor, Englewood,West Englewood, Auburn-Gresham, Morgan Park, Maple Park, Mt. Vernon, Fernwood, Bellevue, Beverly, Pullman, West Pullman, West Pullman,Riverdale, Jeffrey Manor and Hegewisch.

SOUTH SUBURBAN

Serves communities in Harvey, Markham, Phoenix, Robbins, Dixmoor, Calumet Park, Blue Island,SouthHolland,and Dolton. Shopping- their favorite pastime!

HYDE PARK

Lake Meadows, Oakland, Prairie Shores,Douglas, Grand Boulevard, Kenwood, Woodland,South Shore and Hyde Park.

CHICAGO WEEKEND

Chicago Westside Communities, Austin and Garfield Park

SUBURBAN TIMES WEEKLY

BloomTownship, Chicago Heights, Flossmoor,FordHeights, Glenwood, Homewood, Lansing ,Lynwood, Olympia Fileds, Park Forest,Sauk Village,South Chicago and Steger

Citizen Newspaper Group Inc., (CNGII), Publisher of the ChathamSoutheast,South End, ChicagoWeekend,South

Harbor Freight is anticipated to bring several new jobs to the Village of Matteson. With nation-ally averaging about 25,000 employees, they’re excited to gain new employees. Among truck drivers that might need a jack or screws to get them by in travels, residents are hoping it will be a great place to help them create dreamy home beauty upgrades with “DIY” tools they can purchase, like paint sprayers. Mayor Sheila Chalmers- Currin believes this will be an incredible addition to even local interior designers and premier home decorators.

edition. Please send press release information to: editorial@citizennewspapergroup.com. For more information on subscriptions or advertising, call us at (773) 7831251 or fax (872) 208-8793. Our offices are located at 8741 South Greenwood Suite# 107, Chicago, Illinois 60619.

“It’s always refreshing when a new business joins the Village of Matteson. It’s essential to have quality businesses in the heart of your community that offers affordable rates for our residents and small business owners. We’re

excited for the future of Harbor Freight as they join our village. We look forward to seeing how they continue to grow and welcome them,” says Mayor Sheila Chalmers- Currin.

For more information and store business hours for Harbor Freights Tool, visit their web at https://www.harborfreight.com/ or call (708)-874-8585.

REP. MAYFIELD CELEBRATES PROTECT ILLINOIS COMMUNITIES ACT

State Rep. Rita Mayfield, D-Waukegan, passed legislation banning assault-style weapons, high-capacity magazines, and rapid-fire firearm modifications statewide Thursday, shortly after joining activists and advocates from across the state who had gathered to encourage lawmakers to pass the bill.

“There is absolutely no reason why anyone, other than some police officers or members of the Armed Forces, should have access to these weapons of war,” Mayfield said, after the bill had passed. “Our communities called on us to act to protect them from the terror of gun violence and mass shootings that continue to threaten them, and we, therefore, had a moral duty to take this step, so that children and their families in our great state are now no longer forced to live with the fear that today or tomorrow or next week they may go off to school or work or to the supermarket—and never return.”

Mayfield passed the Protect Illinois Communities Act, which addresses longstanding goals of the gun safety movement, but gained added momentum after the events of July 4, 2022, when a disturbed individual opened fire on Independence Day paradegoers in Highland Park, IL, firing 83 rounds from a military-style assault rifle, killing seven people and wounding 48.

Her vote will ban new sales of assault rifles in Illinois, ban the sale of ammunition clips containing more than 12 bullets, and ban modifications that make semi-automatic weapons operate like fully automatic machine guns. Additionally, the bill establishes an Illinois State Police anti-trafficking unit to combat the flood of illegal guns from out of state.

“These weapons are meant for battlefields, not for neighborhoods,” Mayfield said. “And yet, in neighborhoods across our state, we have continued to see the awful human toll caused by weapons like the ones covered by this bill. That’s why we did what we did tonight—to stop the carnage and to protect life and peace and justice. We did it to make everyone in Illinois safer.”

STATE REPRESENTATIVE MAYFIELD IS REACHABLE AT 217-558-1012 OR 60THDISTRICT@GMAIL.COM.

State Senator Cunningham supported law starts off 2023 with a tax cut

Older Illinoisans will see a reduced registration fee under a new law supported by Senator Bill Cunningham that going into effect of Jan. 1, 2022.

“Inflation is still hurting families, especially those on a fixed income,” said Cunningham, a Democrat who represents portions of Chicago and the southwest suburbs. “I am proud to announce this law starts off the year with a tax cut.”

Cunningham voted for House Bill 5304, which will reduce the vehicle registration fee for vehicle owners and their spouses from $24 to $10 if they qualify or have been approved for benefits under the Senior Citizens and Persons with Disability Property Tax Relief Act.

Under the act, an individual qualifies if they are 65 years of age or older or if a single person’s income is less than $33,562 a year and less than $44,533 for a couple.

Before going to the Secretary of State, older adults who may be eligible should apply through the Benefit Access Program administered by the Illinois Department on Aging. Residents may call the Senior HelpLine at 1-800-252-8966 or visit the Department’s website.

CONCERNED COMMUNITIES FOR AMERICA URGES IL LAWMAKERS TO FIX

CONTROVERSIAL NEW LAW

“We cannot allow this radical experiment in ‘Woke’ justice to become a precedent for other states.”

Washington, D.C./January 3, 2023 – Today, Concerned Communities for America (CCA) Executive Director DaQuawn Bruce issued the following statement applauding the Illinois Supreme Court for taking emergency action to temporarily prevent a new law from ending cash bail and pre-trial detention for a variety of serious criminal offenses.

“The Supreme Court made the correct decision to prevent this particularly harmful provision of the misleadingly named ‘SAFE-T Act’ from taking effect. Without their action, murderers, arsonists, kidnappers, and other violent criminals would have been allowed back onto the streets while awaiting trial, putting local communities in danger.

“Illinois lawmakers should use the court’s temporary stay as an opportunity to revisit this misguided law and eliminate this dangerous provision once and for all. This is a misguided approach to criminal justice reform, because there is no justice in a soft on crime posture that releases individuals who have committed crimes for them to go out and commit them again. The victims of this policy are disproportionately likely to be Black and Brown citizens living in the City of Chicago and the surrounding communities.

“I have seen firsthand the devastation that violent crime can cause to families and communities, and I implore Illinois lawmakers to take immediate action to avert this preventable tragedy. We cannot allow this radical experiment in ‘Woke’ justice to become a precedent for other states.”

To learn more about Concerned Communities for America, please visit concernedcommunities.org. You can follow CCA on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

ELIZABETH “LIZZIE G” ELIE

Keva Latham Named to Color

Magazine’s Power List 40 Under 40

MEMPHIS, Tenn., PRNewswire -- First Horizon is pleased to announce that Keva Latham, SVP Director of Compensation, has been recognized by Color Magazine in its 2022 Power 40 Under 40 list. The honorees were celebrated and are highlighted in the online publication.

COLOR’s POWER 40 Under 40 publication highlights rising leaders of color in business, arts and community who are transforming their industries and forwarding the principles of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging. Candidates were nominated by their organization for demonstrating leadership in their chosen field as well as their involvement in the community and volunteer efforts.

“Keva consistently demonstrates exceptional leadership in her current role, as a mentor and as the chairwoman of the Women’s Initiative associ -

ate resource group in Memphis. Keva also makes community involvement a priority. As the founder of Banking and Buckets Youth Financial Literacy and Basketball Skills Camp, I am proud she was recognized for her efforts within our company and

our communities,” says Bryan Jordan, President and CEO of First Horizon.

First Horizon Corp. (NYSE: FHN), with $80.3 billion in assets as of September 30, 2022, is a leading regional financial services company, dedicated to helping our clients, communities and associates unlock their full potential with capital and counsel. Headquartered in Memphis, TN, the banking subsidiary First Horizon Bank operates in 12 states across the southern U.S. The Company and its subsidiaries offer commercial, private banking, consumer, small business, wealth and trust management, retail brokerage, capital markets, fixed income, and mortgage banking services. First Horizon has been recognized as one of the nation’s best employers by Fortune and Forbes magazines and a Top 10 Most Reputable U.S. Bank. More information is available at www.FirstHorizon.com.

How Demeeka Cobb Took BGW Home Team From TikTok to TV

ORLANDO, Fla., PRNewswire -- Demeeka Cobb, the Founder of BGW Home Team, runs a successful real estate business in Central Florida. She specializes in making real estate relatable and easy to understand for anyone from the first-time homebuyer to the investor looking for non-traditional options.

During the height of the pandemic real estate agents were forced to get creative, so Cobb created a Tiktok account, @marriedrealtors_florida, to keep her mission alive while everyone was in lock down. Within weeks of creating the account she had over 13K followers and was getting 100’s of inquiries per day from clients eager to buy their first home.

“I can still remember my first phone call, asking to start the homebuying process because of a lady they saw on Tiktok,” she recalled. “Tiktok made my business a national name and opened doors I could never imagine. Now 100% of my business comes from social media.”

Demeeka explains how she used her large presence on Tiktok to start gaining a massive following on other platforms like Instagram, where she created an account, @marriedrealtors_florida, and now has over 200K followers all over the world, including celebrities and professional athletes. “It’s so important to leverage your growth and use it to create the life you want.”

With no real estate experience, Demeeka was able to create a presence that commands attention and has since tripled her commissions. This has

opened the door for multiple 5-figure brand deals and more exposure for her brand around the world. “Consistency on social media is the key to keeping the algorithms pushing your content, including weekends and holidays”, Demeeka explains. “Remember you’re only one video away from going viral and changing the trajectory of your business forever.”

Just recently, Cobb was offered the opportunity to become a television personality for Emmy Nominated American Dream TV, and she attributes it directly to her social media presence. Only 5 Realtors out of over 20,000 were chosen to host “Selling Orlando”, and Cobb is proud to say she is one of them. The show will be airing on Cable, Amazon Fire, Apple TV, Roku, and other sources in 2023.

The show is focused on culture, lifestyle, and listings across the country and Demeeka will be interviewing business owners and homeowners in the Central Florida area, all because of Tiktok. “Social media and short form video is the best way to build relationships that will endure any real estate market,” said Cobb. “When other realtors are nervous, I don’t flinch because my business is serving clients all over the country.”

BGW Home Team is a national and international real estate team, making homeownership and financial literacy relatable and easy to understand. To learn more, visit www.bgwhometeam. com and follow us on Instagram.

eva Latham. PRNewsfoto/First Horizon Corporation.

BGW Home Team

Goals Ventures LLC Launches Streetwear Apparel

Collection for the Everyday Entrepreneur

LOS ANGELES, PRNewswire -- Blackowned, Goals Ventures LLC launches the first streetwear apparel collection to offer digital and social tools and technology to individuals looking to scale their business, all accessible through custom QR codes on the clothing tags. This launch serves to promote the work-life balance seamlessly with an assortment of everyday, ready to wear garments to help business creators, content creators, and/or influencers achieve their business goals.

This collection of streetwear staples embraces the elements of street culture while keeping the active lifestyle of the everyday person in mind. These good-for-the-environment pieces are meant to be a staple in everyone’s closet, with sustainable garments crafted from organic materials, recycled materials, or made in the USA. With the goal to bring these tools, technology, and training to underserved entrepreneurs and those interested in overall entrepreneurship, the launch of the apparel line allows for easy accessibility to help creators and businesses grow their audiences.

Goals Media Group, founded by Aubrey Flynn to “Get Over All Limits Successfully,” is the first black-owned company to combine software and apparel, and provide access to technology, digital tools and training for brand building. Flynn is a digital strategist and marketing expert with over 15 years of experience working with influencers and generating significant revenue for their brands, including Ciroc by Diddy, Indoggo by Snoop Dogg, and Redmont Vodka by Charles Barkley. His experience spans digital strategy, branded entertainment, strategic partnerships, brand positioning, entertainment

marketing, storytelling, big data management, client services and more.

“Our company is divided into services, software, training, and apparel with the goal to bring this accessible technology to underserved entrepreneurs, such women, college students, people of color, veterans, reentering citizens, immigrants, and people interested in entrepreneurship” said Goals Supply CEO Aubrey Flynn.

Goals Media Group can be hired for the creation and running of digital advertising campaigns or used for training purposes to scale your company. When users scan the QR code on the clothing tag, the mobile Goals app will open, which grants access to the business toolkit, setup, and business audits. The toolkit allows users to schedule social media posts, send SMS messages and emails to customers, revamp their website with WordPress, and have their data distributed on search engines such as Google.

The streetwear apparel encourages the work-life balance seamlessly with a line of everyday, ready to wear clothing. Compiled of headwear, hoodies, sweatshirts, t-shirts, joggers, shorts, and footwear, this collection features relaxed fit, moisture-wicking pieces that are great staples for everyday wear. Pricing ranges from $30-$105. Get exclusive access to tech, tools and training for business on demand when you scan the QR codes on the tags of the clothing.

The GOALS Supply apparel is available for purchase exclusively at goalssupply.com and on the Goals Supply app available in the App Store and Google Play store.

NU STANDARD® LAUNCHES NEW HYDRASILK® HYDRATING BOND SYSTEM EXCLUSIVELY WITH COSMO PROF STORES NATIONWIDE IN JANUARY 2023

(Black PR Wire) Nu Standard®, a state-of-the-art haircare brand curated for the Busy Queen on-the-go, will launch its new professional haircare treatment, HYDRASILK® Hydrating Bond System, in January 2023 exclusively with Cosmo Prof stores nationwide – the leading distributor of salon products to Licensed Professionals in the hair industry. The launch will mark the first-ever distribution of a bond system curated by a Black woman and specifically designed for textured hair, regardless of ethnicity.

Nu Standard® strategically partnered with licensed hairstylists to create safe and advanced products for professional use, with HYDRASILK® being one of the direct outcomes of this approach.

“Honestly D-I-Y was overrated for me...I needed performance over promises. Only an informed licensed hairstylist could help me realize my hair goals,” said Autumn Yarbrough, Founder of Nu Standard®. “I noticed there weren’t any bond system products made specifically for textured hair. The ones I used left my hair feeling weak, dry, and brittle which resulted in breakage. That’s when I knew we needed to get involved and include the stylist.”

The HYDRASILK® Hydrating Bond System is made up of the HYDRASILK® Bond Builder and the HYDRASILK® Silkner, which powerfully unite for a two-step reconstructive treatment for textured hair. The system provides intense moisture and strength to each strand – making the hair many times stronger than before, and decreasing shedding and breakage.

Nu Standard® enlisted the expertise of veteran chemist Tracy Ashley, who has over 30 years of cosmetic chemistry experience, along with legacy textured hair expert, product developer, and master educator Lenita Griffis-Browning who has over 40 years in the industry, to truly design innovative products for licensed professionals.

“Before joining Nu Standard®, I tried HYDRASILK®’s reconstructive treatment application multiple times over an eight month period with friends who had post-COVID trauma, or weak, dry or damaged hair - to see if the product did what it claimed to do - and the system worked exceptionally,” said Griffis-Browning, Nu Standard®’s Education Director. “I, the product snob, was impressed with the results!”

The complete HYDRASILK® Hydrating Bond System, which includes the HYDRASILK® Bond Builder and the HYDRASILK® Silkner, will be available exclusively for professionals at Cosmo Prof stores nationwide beginning in January 2023, and will retail starting from $60.00. For more information on Nu Standard™ and HYDRASILK™, visit hydrasilkpro.com.

GOALS Supply Apparel. PRNewsFoto.

Parents Urged to Check Their Window Coverings

NEW YORK, NY -- The Window Covering Safety Council (WCSC) is reminding parents and caregivers of the potential dangers posed by window cords, and is urging them to only use cordless window covering products or those that have inaccessible cords in homes with young children. Owners and renters alike should replace all corded window coverings in their homes with today’s safer products.

According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), corded window coverings are one of the top five hidden hazards in American homes, with infants and children accidentally becoming entangled in window cords. Some of these incidents involve older products that are still in use and do not have the safety devices or designs instituted in the past decade.

“Parents with young children should replace their corded window coverings with products that are cordless or have inaccessible cords,” says Window Covering Safety Council (WCSC) Executive Director, Peter Rush. “The new Best for Kids™ certification label recently launched makes it easy for parents and caregivers to easily identify which products are best suited for homes with young children.”

The Best for Kids™ certification program, launched by the window covering industry, will assist in educating consumers about potential window-cord hazards

facing young children and will aid consumers in making the right choice when selecting window coverings. In order to be eligible for this certification, manufacturers must meet the specified program criteria and submit their window covering products to a designated third-party testing laboratory. Once products pass testing, they may be labeled Best for Kids™.

To maximize window cord safety when young children are present, consumers are urged to follow these safety guidelines:

· Install only cordless window coverings or those with inaccessible cords in homes with young children. Replace window blinds, corded shades and draperies with products that are cordless or have inaccessible cords, such as those marked with the Best for Kids™ label certification which enables you to easily identify products best suited for young children. Make the right choice and use cordless products to keep your children safe year-round.

Move all cribs, beds, furniture and toys away from windows and window cords, preferably to another wall.

Ensure that all window cords are out of sight and reach, by shortening or tying them up and away, so that they are inaccessible to young children.

For more information on window cord safety in the home, visit www.windowcoverings.org. Connect with WCSC on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for more home safety information and ideas.

HHS Issues New Strengthened Conscience and Religious Nondiscrimination Proposed Rule

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office for Civil Rights (OCR) announced a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM), entitled Safeguarding the Rights of Conscience as Protected by Federal Statutes, which proposes to restore the longstanding process for the handling of conscience complaints and provide additional safeguards to protect against conscience and religious discrimination.

“No one should be discriminated against because of their religious or moral beliefs, especially when they are seeking or providing care,” said Secretary Xavier Becerra. “The proposed rule strengthens protections for people with religious or moral objections while also ensuring access to care for all in keeping with the law.”

“Protecting conscience rights and enforcing the law to combat religious discrimination is critical,” said Office for Civil Rights Director Melanie Fontes Rainer. “Today’s proposed rule would strengthen these protections and reinforce our long-standing process for handling such conscience and faith-based objections. It also would take steps to help ensure that individuals are aware of their rights.”

In 2019, OCR issued a regulation that provided broad definitions, created new compliance regulations, and created a new enforcement mechanism for a number of statutes related to the conscience rights of certain federally funded health care entities and providers. The 2019 Final Rule was held unlawful by three federal district courts. In light of these court decisions, and consistent with the Administration’s commitment to safeguard the rights of federal conscience and religious nondiscrimination while protecting access to care, this NPRM proposes to partially rescind the Department’s 2019 rule while reinforcing other processes previously in place for the handling of conscience and religious freedom complaints.

Public comments on the NPRM are due 60 days after publication of the NPRM in the Federal Register.

The NPRM may be viewed in the Federal Register: https://www. hhs.gov/sites/default/files/conscience-rule-nprm.pdf

SAMHSA Announces National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) Results

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) released the results of its annual National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), which shows how people living in America reported about their experience with mental health conditions, substance use, and pursuit of treatment in 2021. The 2021 NSDUH national report includes selected estimates by race, ethnicity, and age group. It is the most comprehensive report on substance use and mental health indicators that SAMHSA has released to date.

Estimates from the 2021 NSDUH should not be compared with estimates from previous years because the COVID-19 pandemic necessitated methodological changes to the data collection process.

Key findings from the 2021 NSDUH include: Drug Use and Substance Use Disorder

Among people aged 12 or older in 2021, 61.2 million people (or 21.9 percent of the population) used illicit drugs in the past year. The most commonly used illicit drug was marijuana, which 52.5 million people used. Nearly 2 in 5 young adults 18 to 25 used illicit drugs in the past year; 1 in 3 young adults 18 to 25 used marijuana in the past year.

9.2 million people 12 and older misused opioids in the past year.

46.3 million people aged 12 or older (or 16.5 percent of the population) met the applicable DSM-5 criteria for having a substance use disorder in the past year, including 29.5 million people who were classified as having an alcohol use disorder and 24 million people who were classified as having a drug use disorder.

The percentage of people who were classified as having a past year substance use disorder, including alcohol use and/or drug use disorder, was highest among young adults aged 18 to 25 compared to youth and adults 26 and older.

In 2021, 94% of people aged 12 or older with a substance use disorder did not receive any treatment. Nearly all people with a substance use disorder who did not get treatment at a specialty

facility did not think they needed treatment.

Major Depressive Episodes (MDE) Among Adolescents

In 2021, 1 in 5 adolescents had a major depressive episode in the past year. Of these, nearly 75 percent had symptoms consistent with severe impairment, which caused severe problems with their ability to do chores at home, do well at work or school, get along with their family, or have a social life.

The prevalence of past year MDE among Black and Asian adolescents was lower compared to adolescents from most other racial/ethnic groups.

More than half of youth with an MDE did not receive treatment in the past year.

Mental Illness among Adults

Nearly 1 in 4 adults 18 and older, and 1 in 3 among adults aged 18 to 25, had a mental illness in the past year.

Adults with serious mental illness had higher rates of treatment compared to those with any mental illness. Despite having the highest rate of serious mental illness, people aged 18 to 25 had the lowest rate of treatment in comparison to adults in other age groups.

White and Multiracial adults were more likely to receive mental health services in the past year than Black, Hispanic or Latino, or Asian adults.

Co-Occurring Substance Use Disorder with Any Mental Illness

13.5 percent of young adults aged 18 to 25 had both a substance use disorder and any mental illness in the past year.

Nearly 1 in 3 adults had either a substance use disorder or any mental illness in the past year, and 46 percent of young adults 18-25 had either a substance use disorder or any mental illness.

The percentage of adults aged 18 or older who met criteria for both a mental illness and a substance use disorder in the past year was higher among Multiracial adults than among White, Black, Hispanic or Latino, or Asian adults. Asian adults were

less likely to have had both AMI and a substance use disorder in the past year compared with adults in most other racial or ethnic groups.

Serious Thoughts of Suicide, Suicide Plans, and Suicide Attempts 12.3 million adults aged 18 or older had serious thoughts of suicide in the past year, 3.5 million made suicide plans, and 1.7 million attempted suicide.

Hispanic or Latino adults were more likely than White or Asian adults to have attempted suicide in the past year, and Black adults were more likely than Asian adults to have attempted suicide in the past year.

Recovery

7 in 10 (72.2 percent or 20.9 million) adults who ever had a substance use problem considered themselves to be recovering or in recovery.

2 in 3 (66.5 percent or 38.8 million) adults who ever had a mental health issue considered themselves to be recovering or in recovery.

About the National Survey on Drug Use and Health

Conducted by the federal government since 1971, the NSDUH is a primary source of statistical information on substance use and mental health of the U.S. civilian, noninstitutionalized population 12 or older. The NSDUH measures:

Use of illegal drugs, prescription drugs, alcohol, and tobacco, Substance use disorder and substance use treatment, Major depressive episodes, mental illness, and mental health care, and Perceived recovery from substance use and mental health issues.

Anyone in the United States seeking treatment for mental health or substance use issues should call SAMHSA’s National Helpline at 800-662-HELP (4357) or visit findtreatment.samhsa.gov.

If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline. org.

CANDIACE IS BACK WITH DEEP SPACE DELUXE EDITION OUT NOW

New York, NY — Rising R&B powerhouse CANDIACE presents Deep Space Deluxe Edition, out now. She re-upped, re-energized, and recharged her acclaimed full-length debut album with eight new recordings. This pops off as the most dynamic and definitive vision of Deep Space.

Right out of the gate, it incited critical applause and earned plugs from the likes of Bossip and That Grape Juice, who noted, The ‘Real Housewives of Potomac’ star has been making solid strides with tracks such as ‘Drive Back’ and its housing album ‘Deep Space.’ And the trajectory continues with her newest number.” Rated R&B raved, “The spicy track contains some of the bluntest lyrics and heartfelt vocals as Candiace lets a fragile lover know it’s all him and not her, putting a damper on their relationship.” BET highlighted, “she’s telling the insecure folks about themselves.” Meanwhile, the track continues to put up numbers.

Plus, Deep Space Deluxe Edition boasts a sequel to the knockout “Benefits,” namely “Benefits (Part II),” a live rendition of “Drive Back,” and the re-invigorated “Win 2.0.” Its unreleased new tracks span “INSECURE” as well as “Affirmations,” the seductive “Do It Again,” and the entrancing “Since Then.”

Check out the full tracklisting below.

Now, she welcomes listeners even deeper into her world.

On Sunday nights, CANDIACE enchants millions of viewers everywhere on BRAVO’s The Real Housewives of Potomac.

Earlier this year, CANDIACE concluded her highly successful debut run, DEEP SPACE TOUR: Live at City Winery. Playing to thousands of enthusiastic fans, she captivated audiences in four major cities. She canvased Philadelphia, Chicago, Atlanta, and Washington, D.C. She notably sold out both Atlanta and D.C. Among those fans, cast members from The Real Housewives of Atlanta and various “BRAVOLEBRI-

TIES” attended the Atlanta gig to support her.

On the road, CANDIACE notably paid homage to R&B icon Toni Braxton with a showstopping cover of “He Wasn’t Man Enough” at each date. She also energized the proceedings with a series of highlights from her Deep Space Deluxe Edition.

2022 saw CANDIACE return for the 7th season of The Real Housewives of Potomac on Bravo. As always, she lit up the screen like only she could, stealing each and every scene with confidence and charisma. With a lot more heat from CANDIACE, this season brought the fireworks to a whole new level, with episodes airing on Bravo on Sunday at 8 pm EST.

The original Deep Space continues to put up num -

bers, reeling in streams in the millions. Beyond the traction on DSPs, she incited the applause of everyone from Anita Baker and Nicki Minaj, to Toni Braxton. Upon arrival, it landed as one of the Top 25 R&B Albums in the Country. Among many highlights, it boasted the fan favorite single “Win.” Beyond hundreds of thousands of streams, That Grape Juice hailed the single as an “empowering anthem, which aims to encourage and uplift.”

CANDIACE keeps shining, with her single “Drive Back” recently reaching 3 million plus streams and her album Deep Space also reaching more than 3 million streams.

Get ready for her to make major moves in 2023!

TRACKLISTING:

Since Then... * Do It Again* Fine Whine*

INSECURE* Affirmations* Benefits (Part II)* Drive Back (Live)* Win 2.0*

Let Them Talk (Intro) Cause A Scene Hands In The Air Is It Enough? Show Me ‘Lude Behavior (Interlude) Situat Benefits Do It (Nostalgia) Love Notez I’m Gone (Interlude) Drive Back Stay With Me Insomnia (Interlude) Win

NAACP AND BET ANNOUNCE “54TH NAACP IMAGE AWARDS” TO AIR LIVE SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2023 ON BET

(Black PR Wire) LOS ANGELES – Recently, the NAACP and BET announced that the “54th NAACP Image Awards” will broadcast LIVE on Saturday, Feb. 25, at 8:00 PM (live ET/PT on delay) on BET from the Pasadena Civic Auditorium in Pasadena, CA. The show will be in front of an audience for the first time in three years. Nominees will be announced and online international voting opens on Thursday, Jan. 12. Voting closes on Friday, Feb. 10.

Leading up to the Image Awards, NAACP will be hosting a range of week-long activities in Los Angeles to further celebrate and honor achievements in film, television, music, and literature. Media credential application for these activities and the show will be released at a later date.

Globally recognized as one of the most distinguished multicultural awards shows, the “54th NAACP Image Awards” will continue a tradition of excellence, uplifting values that inspire equality, justice, and progressive change, and highlighting artists committed to that purpose. The “54th NAACP Image Awards” will also include three new submissions within the motion picture, television + streaming categories. New submission categories include:

• Outstanding Hairstyling

• Outstanding Make-up

• Outstanding Costume Design

“Throughout the past year, we’ve witnessed Black artists showcasing our history and uplifting values of progressive change, while redefining genres and bringing our stories to the forefront of entertainment in so many innovative ways,”

said Derrick Johnson, President and CEO of the NAACP. “Black voices are necessary to continually inspire audiences around the world. We’re proud to once again provide a platform that both elevates and celebrates these voices through the 54th NAACP Image Awards.” “BET is extremely proud

in each category by members of the NAACP Image Awards Nominating Committees which are comprised of individuals within the entertainment industry (studio/network executives, actors, artists, managers, agents, publicists, journalists, literary agents, and others) NAACP Board members, NAACP Foundation Trustees, staff, partners and others. As of November 18, nominee submissions are now closed.

to continue our long-standing partnership with the NAACP and magnify their endeavors to honor the incredible contributions made by the Black community,” said BET President and CEO Scott Mills. “We’re looking forward to celebrating Black excellence at next year’s Image Awards on all of our platforms, honoring those who help tell our diverse stories in powerful ways.”

Only submitted work will be reviewed for consideration. All valid entries are evaluated and narrowed to the top five

One of the most iconic annual celebrations of Black excellence, the NAACP Image Awards draws the biggest and brightest stars in Hollywood. Previous years’ attendees and winners include Prince Harry & Meghan Markle, Samuel L. Jackson, Jennifer Hudson, Rihanna, Lizzo, Beyoncé, Jay-Z, Michael B. Jordan, Oprah Winfrey, Jamie Foxx, Chloe x Halle, Regé-Jean Page, Michaela Coel, Cliff “Method Man” Smith, Blair Underwood, Will Smith, Taraji P. Henson, Marsai Martin, Viola Davis, Gabrielle Union, Kerry Washington, Anthony Anderson, Sterling K. Brown, Loni Love, Sheryl Underwood, Mandy Moore, Halle Berry, Common, Dwayne Johnson, Audra Day, John Legend, Lena Waithe, Tracee Ellis Ross, David Oyelowo, Laverne Cox, Octavia Spencer, Issa Rae, Trevor Noah, Yara Shahidi, Danai Gurira, Jacob Latimore, Jill Scott, H.E.R., Jay Pharoah, Jemele Hill, Josh Gad, Loretta Devine, Sylvester Stallone, Meta Golding, Michael Smith, Tyler James Williams, Ava DuVernay, the late Chadwick Boseman, and many more.

INSTAGRAM: @naacpimageawards

TWITTER: @naacpimageaward

FACEBOOK: /naacpimageaward

The Purple Agency

5 Simple Tips to Conquer Your Fitness and Wellness Goals This Year

(Black PR Wire) Every new year brings new resolutions, and achieving fitness and wellness goals is typically in the top three. Unfortunately, the average person stops following their game plan after 2 weeks and has totally given up by February. There are common missteps people make as they list their resolu tions. These include making superficial goals in an effort to look like someone else, goals that are too vague in just vowing to exerci se more, or goals that are too technical as one can drive thems elves crazy counting calories. This leads to failure year after year. Here are 5 guideposts to help you achieve your personal fitness and wellness goals that are obtainable and sustainable.

1Stop doing things you hate, right now.

If you only show up to a group exercise class because it fits in your schedule, but you really hate the music and the instructor isn’t that exciting, you will gradually stop giving your best effort.

You’re simply going through the motions of being physically present and it does not take long for this to be a complete waste of time with no results.

2Seek variety

They say variety is the spice of life and this totally applies to exercise too.

Just as you wouldn’t eat the same meal every day, your workout should also be full of options. Introducing several activities to your weekly routine helps bust plateaus and keeps monotony at bay.

Additionally, variety helps prevent overuse injuries due to repetitive movements.

3

Find Your friends to help you achieve fitness and wellness goals

Once you have planned out your schedule, recruit a different friend for each activity.

A running partner with a similar pace, a fellow yogi, and a friend that enjoys lifting weights as much as you do keeps the conversation fresh and camaraderie high.

In addition to workouts with friends, remember to

take time for yourself. Devoting a day or two for a solo workout also has its perks. This is the perfect time to collect your thoughts, enjoy new music or catch up on an audiobook.

4Keep a journal to track your fitness and wellness activities  Journaling has benefits beyond tracking your exercise progress.

It is an excellent way to have an honest conversation with oneself. Understanding how we function emotionally plays a bigger role than one may think when it comes to our decision-making process.

If a person is stressed and frustrated, they might channel that anger into the best workout they’ve ever had or skip the workout and eat a pint of ice cream.

Acknowledging our triggers helps us navigate through them and make better choices.

Every evening before you call it a night, instead of scrolling through social media, take 10-15 minutes to document your workouts, the foods you ate, and your feelings.

Include reflective thoughts and motivational quotes as well.

Designate a day to review a week of entries to gain more insight into what drives you. This visual accountability is very beneficial for identifying behavioral patterns that point to why you keep falling off the fitness wagon.

5 Meditate

Meditation goes hand in hand with journaling. This is a time for you to be in your personal space, free of distractions. Guided imagery, breathwork, reciting mantras, or simply sitting in silence are all forms of meditation.

This practice can evoke mindfulness, focus, and clarity in your daily life and help you eliminate stress and negative self-talk. It also has a plethora of health benefits from calming anxiety to lowering blood pressure. This practice can help you set the tone for daily physical activity. As this can be a challenging process to “be still”, it is good, to begin with 5 minutes each morning and progress from there.

Resolutions are not unattainable. These guideposts are uncomplicated ways to find the right direction toward your goals. Find your variety, find your friends, find your inner peace and find your success!

Shimmy, the Free Seven-Minute Fitness App, Promotes Healthy New Year Habits Through Charitable Donations

SAN FRANCISCO, PRNewswire -- Shimmy, a 501(c)(3) non-profit, is re-launching its free iPhone app with a research-based approach to building healthy habits in the New Year.

Rooted in behavioral science, the app is bringing back its popular assortment of seven-minute “fun-size” workouts from through Jan. 31st. “Shorter workouts like these lower the friction of starting a new exercise routine, and the variety keeps people from getting bored,” says Kristen Berman, a leading expert in behavior change and a Shimmy advisor. Shimmy has also tapped into research on physical activity, like this recent study from Nature Medicine, showing that even a few minutes of daily exercise can have a positive, longterm impact on health.

Shimmy’s novel charitable program offers an added incentive for users to stick to an exercise resolution, and to bring their friends along. For each workout completed in January, Shimmy will donate $1 to charity, plus an additional $10 for each new person referred to the app. “Shimmy amplifies the benefits of working out by supporting a cause you care about, and accountability from friends and family can help you stick to

your plan,” Berman says.

Shimmy’s charity partners this month include Breast Cancer Research Foundation, Essie Justice Group, and Razom for Ukraine. “We are excited to be supporting this new set of charities that are particularly meaningful to our team of volunteers,” added co-founder Kaitlyn Krieger.

The app’s January launch builds upon the success of its

first fitness challenge, designed like an advent calendar, through which a highly-engaged community of individuals enjoyed seven minutes of movement per day in December. Thousands of users signed up and collectively completed over 100,000 minutes of workouts including Bollywood cardio, 80’s aerobics, and yoga.

“This January, Shimmy will continue to show users the joyful, positive impact of just a few minutes of movement each day,” says Shimmy co-founder Nina Samarguliani.

Anyone interested in participating this January can download the free Shimmy app here and can follow along at @lets_shimmy on Instagram.

Shimmy is a 501(c)(3) with a mission to get America moving. The free Shimmy iPhone app, which first launched in December, delivers a seven-minute workout video each day, and applies behavioral science insights to support users’ wellness goals in the New Year.

For every workout that users complete in January, Shimmy will donate $1 to charity. The app is easy to share with family and friends, and Shimmy will give an additional $10 to charity for each new referral. https://www.shimmy.org

citizennewspapergroup.com

BlackPRWire

Trainers Raquel Horsford, Christa Janine, and Joya Kazi. Credit: Chris Escamilla

A Foil Packet Meal for Sweet Fall Simplicity

(Family Features)

Fall provides almost endless opportunities to gather friends and family around great food. From tailgates and family events to those precious last outdoor meals before winter sets in, the scenery of autumn is a perfect backdrop for sharing meals together.

Those favorite fall foods are often best when they’re delicious without complications. Taking the guesswork out of cool-weather classics can be as easy as these Sweetpotato Foil Packet Tacos, which are loaded with flavor and can be customized to fit everyone’s taste buds with personalized toppings.

As the key ingredient, sweetpotatoes show off their versatility as an ideal addition to simple or elevated, sweet or savory dishes. Because you can cook and prepare them multiple ways – such as baked, microwaved, grilled, slow cooked or on the stove – they’re easy to use in a wide array of recipes.

Plus, according to the American Diabetes Association, sweetpotatoes are a “diabetes superfood” because they’re rich in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and fiber, all of which are good for overall health and may help prevent disease. Their “sweet” flavor without the added sugar makes them a pantry staple throughout the fall.

Pro tip: Sweetpotatoes are abundant and have a long shelf-life – up to four weeks if stored properly in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area away from heat sources – but never store in the refrigerator as this can cause “chill damage,” leaving them with a hard center and unpleasant taste.

Make the most of your fall meals with family and friends by finding more recipes at ncsweetpotatoes.com.

Sweetpotato

Foil Packet Tacos

Recipe courtesy of the North Carolina SweetPotato Commission

Servings: 6

1/2 pound ground turkey

3 tablespoons taco seasoning

1/2 cup tomato sauce

1 can (15 ounces) black beans, rinsed and drained nonstick cooking spray

2 pounds North Carolina sweetpotatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch cubes

2 tablespoons butter

3/4 teaspoon salt

1 1/2 cups fresh chopped spinach

1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese sour cream (optional)

guacamole (optional)

Preheat oven to 425 F.

In skillet over medium-high heat, brown ground meat. Stir in taco seasoning, tomato sauce and beans; set aside.

Lay out six 12-inch aluminum foil pieces; spray each with nonstick cooking spray.

In center of each foil piece, place 1 cup sweetpotatoes, 1 teaspoon butter, 1/8 teaspoon salt, 1/4 cup spinach, 1/3 cup taco meat and 1/4 cup cheese.

Fold foil sides in over mixture; fold top and bottom foil ends inward and seal.

Place packets on rimmed cookie sheet; bake until sweetpotatoes are tender, about 25 minutes.

Serve with sour cream or guacamole, if desired.

There will be a court date on my Request to change my name from: REBECCA BENGCO AYSON to the new name of REBECCO CRUZ BENGCO. The court date will be held: On

FEBRUARY21, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. at 16501 S. KEDZIE MARKHAM, ILLINOIS COOK IN Courtroom# 208 /s/ REBECCA CRUZ BENGCO.

TECHNOLOGY

How to Prevent Being a Victim of Scams and Fraud

(Statepoint) Scams and fraud are more deceiving these days, reaching you in more ways than ever before. The FTC reported 2.8 million fraud reports from consumers in 2021 alone, with reported fraud losses increasing 70% from 2020 and more than $5.8 million.

A. On Feb. 21, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. in courtroom 208. Remotely by video conference: zoom. I certify that everything in the Notice of Court Date for motion is true and correct. I understand that making a false statement on this form is perjury and has penalities provided by law under 735ILCS 5/1-109 /s/ REBECCA B. AYSON 10142 S. VERNON, CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 60628.

Identity theft protection expert Carrie Kerskie says being aware of what new cyber and phone fraud trends to look out for is your biggest defense against unwanted fraud.

“The more that we can get this information out there the better,” Kerskie recently told T-Mobile Stories, “Unfortunately when it comes to technology, privacy and identity theft, the same old advice that was given 10, 15 years ago is still the gospel of what you’re supposed to do. And that is outdated. None of it works. It’s not true, it’s not relevant anymore.”

Scammers have expanded from targeting consumers with only traditional email and phone calls. The most recent trending scams are occurring using person-to-person payment platforms or P2P, remote access software and even public Wi-Fi.

Kerskie says the most desirable accounts to criminals include bank accounts, mobile phone accounts, credit card accounts and Amazon accounts. Now, with P2P payment platforms, criminals can get access to your bank account and use it to transfer money within moments.

The latest tactic that concerns Kerskie is using remote access software to gain access to everything on your computer without having to directly ask you for things like your social security number, bank account or credit card number. While many workers use remote access software safely from their companies’ IT departments, criminals are also using this software in their scams.

Criminals also try to access your information in settings like coffee shops or libraries using public Wi-Fi. A laptop or smartphone using public Wi-Fi

can easily fall victim to scams. An easy fix is to use your smartphone’s wireless data and hotspot to help keep your personal information secure.

Kerskie says there are ways to keep scammers and fraud at bay.

Prioritize Privacy: Kerskie says, if it’s easy for you, it’s easy for a criminal. Privacy means having strong and unique passwords with a minimum of 12 characters, and for pins using random numbers and taking advantage of extra security. Enabling multi-factor authentication on your various apps and accounts will also protect yourself from potential threats.

Use Available Resources: Take advantage of the free anti-fraud safeguards offered by your mobile carrier. In the case of T-Mobile's Scam Shield, services include enhanced caller ID, scam ID and

blocking, which flags suspicious calls and gives customers the option of blocking those numbers. Additionally, customers can get a free second number to keep their personal number personal, or even change their primary number completely.

Validate or Eliminate: Whatever potential threat you come across via email, text message, letter or even a phone call, try to validate the information. If you cannot confirm the information is true or confirm the senders’ validity, throw it away, block the phone number or email address and report it as spam or junk mail.

As potential cyber threats and fraud evolve, it’s important to understand how they work. Doing so will help you stay safeguarded and protected.

NOTICE OF COURT DATE FOR MOTION STATE OF ILLINOIS, CIRCUIT COURT COOK COUNTY Rebecca Bengco, Ayson, Plantiff/Pettioner

PHOTO SOURCE: (c) tsingha25 / iStock via Getty Images Plus